Participatory Arts Support Manager

A. Details

Position: Participatory Arts Support Manager

Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Whole time equivalent: Full-time (35 hrs per week)

Reports to: Combined Arts Director

Duration: Permanent

Role Closing Date: 12 noon, Monday 5th of October, 2026.

B. Department & Role Overview

The Arts Council is the Irish Government’s agency for supporting and promoting the arts in Ireland. We work in partnership with artists, arts organisations, public policy makers and others to build a central place for the arts in Irish life.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the management of the one of the Arts Teams (Participatory Arts). The role arises due to changing work arrangements. As the development supports, funding schemes and budgets of Council have expanded additional skilled, knowledgeable people are needed to support the work of the team. The team is responsible for policy formulation, development initiatives, funding and relationship management.

Working closely with the Head of Team, the Support Manager will manage a specific number of funding and grant assessments, including limited relationship management in the arts/practice area; motivate and collaborate with the Arts team; sign-off on and oversee a number of award payments.

This post holder will report to the Combined Arts Director and will work closely with the Head of Team who retains responsibility for the team plan, the management of the team and other staff in the implementation of specific cross- organisational projects to deliver the objectives of the ten-year MGAW strategy - Making Great Art Work.

C. Key Responsibilities

General Manager Responsibilities:

- Actively contribute to the delivery of the Arts Council’s strategic goals and the ten-year MGAW strategy - Making Great Art Work;
- Lead the project teams by example, coaching and supporting individuals as required;
- Be flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change;
- Take responsibility and be accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives;
- Successfully manage a range of different projects and work activities at the same time;
- Delegate work effectively, providing clear information and evidence as to what is required;
- Practice and promote a strong focus on delivering high performance and service delivery;
- Contribute to strategic decision-making where required;
- Create and maintain collaborative internal and external relationships;
- Make clear and timely decisions on important issues as required.

Support Manager Specific Responsibilities:

- To partner with the Head of Team in policy formulation, development initiatives, grant and relationship management, to deliver the Arts Council strategic objectives and corporate plan;
- To lead designated arts staff;
- Lead, motivate and support team member/s (and advisers if applicable);
- Establish, develop and manage funding relationships in your area as agreed;
- Deliver funding rationale and recommendations.
- Establish current profile and emerging trends and opportunities;
- Provide expertise and intelligence to support on development of sound policy making and strategy;
- Develop and implement agreed initiatives/programmes.

Note: Arts Council roles and responsibilities are subject to change as per on-going and future organisational requirements and developments. Other duties appropriate to the grade that may be assigned from time to time.

D. Skills Knowledge and Experiences

- Excellent administrative and organisational skills, with at least three years relevant experience in a public sector body;
- A demonstrable commitment and interest in the development of Participatory Arts;
- An understanding of the policy environment for arts development, in particular for Participatory Arts and its related areas;
- An understanding of the key strategic issues relevant to arts development in the current environment;
- An ability to think analytically and communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively;
- Good interpersonal skills, including an ability to listen and negotiate;
- Evidence of experience/ability in strategy development and implementation;
- Evidence of experience/ability in managing funding and other client relationships;
- Excellent communication skills, both written and interpersonal, including the capacity to deal with situations requiring diplomacy and tact;
- Experience in event management and providing high standards of customer care;
- Excellent ICT skills including Word, Excel, Outlook and Board Management Software;
- Ability to work well in a team environment be self-motivated and able to manage own workload.
- A commitment to high standards of public service.

Desirable:

- Experience working in an international environment, particularly within the relevant Artform /art practice context;
- A full driving license;
- The ability to communicate through the Irish language, both verbal and written, is desirable.

Qualifications

- The successful candidate will ideally be academically strong with at least a primary degree, and preferably a post- graduate or professional qualification in a relevant area.